Hi In a single instance database when i issue the startup command the oracle software will read a instance specific init.ora file and bring up a instance what happens when there is shared spfile file with entries like this in case of RAC rac1.instance_number=1 rac2.instance_number=2 and when i say srvctl start instance -i rac1 how will oracle know which instance is rac1 as the instance specific spfile is no longer there only values seem to be there regards Hrishy ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l